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Free permit checklist

California food truck permit checklist

Every license, permit, and registration in filing order, with the issuing agency linked on each step. Fees show only where an official source and a check date back them; everything else says so.

Download calendar (.ics)Full California guide

Renewals are dated from today; add ?launch=YYYY-MM to the address to date them from your launch month.

The steps, in order

  1. 1.Form your entity and get your EIN

    Federal

    Decide sole proprietor vs LLC, then get your EIN from the IRS online. The EIN itself carries no fee. Every application below asks for it, and permits are issued to the entity you pick.

    Fee: Verify the current fee with the IRS.

    Official page

  2. 2.Register for California sales tax

    State

    Register with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) before your first sale. Keep the certificate on the truck; some event organizers and cities ask to see it.

    Fee: Verify the current fee with California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).

  3. 3.Get your food handler card

    State

    California requires a food handler card for people preparing or serving food. Accredited online courses take a few hours. Renews every 3 years (california food handler card).

    Fee: Verify the current fee with an accredited food handler course provider.

  4. 4.Certify a food protection manager

    State

    At least one certified food protection manager is required. Renews every 5 years. Most health departments want the certificate in the application package.

    Fee: Verify the current fee with an accredited food manager certification provider.

  5. 5.Sign your commissary agreement

    State

    California strictly requires all mobile food facilities to operate from a licensed commissary. You must return to the commissary daily for cleaning, restocking, and waste disposal. The commissary must be within a reasonable distance of your operating area. SB 972 clarified commissary alternatives for some rural operators.

    Fee: Verify the current fee with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments.

    Watch out: Settle the commissary before the license application, not after.

    Official page

  6. 6.Apply for the Health Permit for Mobile Food Facility (MFF)

    State

    Issued by California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments. Expect a plan review or application, then a licensing inspection of the truck before the permit is released.

    Fee: Verify the current fee with California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments.

    Official page

  7. 7.Clear the county and city layers

    City

    Business tax receipt or local business license, fire inspection, and zoning approval for where you park and serve. Cities keep these even where the state runs the health side. Start with the city you will work most (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego).

    Fee: Verify the current fee with your city and county.

    Watch out: Some counties require a separate permit for every county you serve in. Check before booking an out-of-county event.

  8. 8.Get general liability insurance and a certificate of insurance (COI)

    Private

    Event organizers, commissaries, and some city permits ask for a COI naming them as additional insured. Get the policy first; certificates usually issue the same day once it is active.

Renewal calendar

What comes due after you open, and how far ahead to start the paperwork. The .ics download puts each of these on your calendar.

  • County Health Permit (MFF)

    California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments

    Every yearStart 30 days before

    Annually

  • California Food Handler Card

    California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments

    Every 3 yearsStart 30 days before

    Every 3 years

  • City Business License

    California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments

    Every yearStart 30 days before

    Annually

  • Fire Inspection

    California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments

    Every yearStart 30 days before

    Annually

  • Commissary Agreement

    California Department of Public Health (CDPH) — enforced by county Environmental Health departments

    Every yearStart 30 days before

    Annually

  • General liability insurance (COI)

    Your insurer

    Every yearStart 21 days before

    Organizers require the COI; renew before the policy lapses.

Next steps

Three things organizers and agencies ask for early: insurance, an entity, and a funded build.

Get food truck insurance

General liability is what most events require. Get a quote in a few minutes.

Get a quote

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Finance your truck or equipment

Compare equipment and working-capital options, with a soft check to start.

See financing options

Affiliate partner. PitStop may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works

Form your LLC

Set up the LLC most operators file for liability protection. A few minutes; the provider shows the cost plus state fees.

Start your LLC

Affiliate partner. PitStop may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works

Fees and rules change. A step that looks different in your county is worth a reply to the checklist email, or a note to support@runpitstop.com; the checklist gets corrected.

Permits by state

California Food Truck Permit Checklist | PitStop